The Top 3 New Features on Our Website
Our team has been working hard behind the scenes over the past year to reimagine a...
Spinal Help Center
Dependable, up-to-date resources that provides people with comprehensive options for their spine health.
Never feel alone again.
Patients facing a debilitating back or neck condition can often feel lost, alone, and overwhelmed – but the road to recovery doesn’t have to be a lonely one. Our supportive patient community of Spinal Champions® and our comprehensive patient resources will help you on your journey to spine health.
Core Guides for Common Problems
We have hand-picked and compiled several resources for the most common conditions that our visitors experience. You can find them in these links.
Search or Browse Thousands of Free Resources.
Or explore your symptoms to get resources based upon the pain you are experiencing right now.
Articles
Read our articles on treatment options, spine health conditions and helpful tips for injury prevention.
Welcome to the New National Spine Health Foundation Website
Over 20 years ago the National Spine Health Foundation (NSHF) began with a mission focused on...
Caregiver Support
Coping with the demands of living with or caring for someone with severe neck or back...
Common Questions About Spine Surgery
OFTENTIMES, THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS SURROUNDING A PROCEDURE ARE RELATED TO RECOVERY. ASK YOUR TRUSTED PROVIDER...
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
THE GOAL OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY (MIS) IS TO ACHIEVE THE SAME, IF NOT BETTER, LONG-TERM OUTCOMES...
Microdiscectomy
A MICRODISCECTOMY IS USEFUL TO RELIEVE PAIN DUE TO A DISC HERNIATION THAT IS PRESSING ON...
Laminoplasty
LAMINOPLASTY IS A SURGICAL TECHNIQUE FOR THE CERVICAL SPINE, WHICH GIVES MORE ROOM TO THE SPINAL...
Laminotomy / Laminectomy
A laminectomy, or removal of the lamina, provides access to the inside of the spinal canal,...
Fusion
Spinal Fusion surgery may not be as complicated as you think. Understanding the spine is incredibly...
Artificial Disc Replacement
AN ARTIFICIAL DISC RETURNS THE FORM, FUNCTION, AND MOBILITY OF A HEALTHY DISC. Replacing a damaged...
Preparing for Surgery
Follow these steps when preparing for surgery to feel as relaxed and confident as possible to...
Should I Have Surgery?
Because of decades of poor results, there has been in increase in the misconception that if...
Spinal Champion Stories
Inspirational stories from patients who have achieved an improved quality of life through spinal health care.
Cynthia
Spinal Fusion
Greg
Spinal Fusion
Susan
Spinal Fusion
Jim
Non-surgical Treatments
Bobbi
Spinal Fusion
Miles
Spinal Fusion
Tony L.
Microdiscectomy
Vini
Microdiscectomy
Aaron D.
Spinal Surgery
Robin S.
Spinal Surgery
Ericka A.
Non-surgical and Surgical Treatments
Heather Childers
Spinal Surgery
Spine Health Journal
Featuring patient-friendly articles and interviews with top spine researchers, surgeons, and healthcare professionals, the Spine Health Journal provides a review of the latest spine health literature for a patient audience. View the Spine Health Journal
To Have Disc Surgery Or Not To Have Disc Surgery? That Is The Question…
By Neville Alleyne, MD , OSNC Orthopedic Specialists of North County DISC HERNIATIONS EXPLAINED The spine...
Evidence Supports Augmented Reality-assisted Spinal Fusion Using A Head-mounted Device
By Tarek Yamout, MD, Virginia Spine Institute and Ehsan Jazini, MD, Virginia Spine Institute Augmented Reality...
Which Neck Surgery To Choose: Cervical Disc Replacement Or Fusion?
By Saman Shabani, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin FUSION DETAILS Traditionally, degenerative disc disease of the...
Augmented Reality Spine Surgery? The Future Is Now
By Camilo A. Molina, MD, Washington University School of Medicine Move over Superman, x-ray vision isn’t...
Advantages Of Robotic-assisted Surgery: A Patient Perspective
By Jeffrey L. Gum, MD, Norton Leatherman Spine Center “Are you going to use the robot?”...
The Impact Of Obesity In Complex Spinal Reconstruction
By Patrick A. Sugrue, MD, Advocate Health Care OBESITY IS PREVALENT IN THE US The rate...
Regenerative Medicine is a Non-surgical and Direct Treatment for Disc Pain
By Niteesh Bharara, MD, Virginia Spine Institute andRikin Shah, BS, Trinity School of Medicine, PGY-4 Modern...
Controlling Your Diabetes Can Have Great Benefits for Your Spine Health
By Jesse Shen, MD, Virginia Mason Medical Center andRajiv Sethi, MD, Virginia Mason Medical Center The...
Is Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain Worth Your Time?
By Larry Grine, DPT, Virginia Therapy and Fitness Center The prevalence of low back pain is...
Evidence-Based Medicine: A Cautionary Tale
By Thomas C. Schuler, MD, National Spine Health Foundation President Evidence-based medicine is a term that...
Evidence-Based Medicine in the Information Age
By Ehsan Jazini, MD, Virginia Spine Institute, The Spine Health Journal Editor-in-Chief Instant access to information...
Spine-Talks Videos
Unparalleled access to world-class experts on advances in spinal treatment and actionable advice to help patients make informed choices about their spine health.
Do No Harm: A Remarkable Conversation Between a Patient and Her Spine Surgeon
Join us for this captivating conversation with world-renowned spine surgeon, Lawrence Lenke, MD, and one of...
Got Neck Pain? Top Surgeons Answer Your Cervical Spine Questions
If you’re experiencing neck pain, you will want to listen to this informative panel discussion with...
GPS and Robots in the Operating Room? How Tech is Improving Spine Outcomes
While many people are familiar with the use of GPS navigation for traveling, it may surprise...
Understanding Adolescent Scoliosis
Was your child recently diagnosed with scoliosis? If so, this panel is for you! In this...
Scoliosis: Data, Tech & Treatment for Adult Deformity
Our latest Spine-Talks program featuring the experts from our Medical and Scientific Board is now live.
Spine Surgery: When is it a Good Idea?
In a full program, experts from the National Spine Health Foundation’s Medical & Scientific Board answer...
(Sneak Peak) Spine Surgery: When is it a Good Idea?
When is spine surgery a good idea? Experts from the National Spine Health Foundation’s Medical &...
Artificial Disc Replacements: What Patients Need to Know
Are you a patient entering into the world of artificial disc replacements and not sure where...
What Patients Need to Know About Adult Deformity
What should spine patients know about adult deformity? Our CEO, Dr. Rita T. Roy, and Medical &...
“Get Back To It” Podcast
Inspiring stories on healing and recovery from patients who have achieved an improved quality of life through spinal health care.
From Pain to Performance: Aaron Baker’s Experience with Disc Replacement Surgery
In this episode, Rita Roy talks with Aaron Baker, a man who has experienced firsthand the...
Colin MacGregor: A Strength and Conditioning Coach for the NHL Takes on His Most Challenging Client–Himself
Colin MacGregor is a strength and conditioning coach who, on a cold spring morning in 2005,...
Allison Weissensee’s Experience of Learning How to Advocate for Yourself at a Young Age
When Allison’s doctor recommended a spinal fusion at age 20, Allison just didn’t feel comfortable with...
Ray Pugsley: Elite Runner Returns to Racing After Back Surgery
Ray Pugsley is a Spinal Champion who has had multiple spine surgeries over the course of...
From Elite Athlete to Back Surgery, How Patrick Collins Got His Life Back
🎧 🎧 New Episode! As an athlete, Patrick Collins was used to getting injured, so when...
From Back Pain to Recovery: A Patient’s Quick Actions Lead to Successful Spinal Treatment
In this episode of the “Get Back To It” Podcast, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Dr....
Get Back To It Minis: Celebrating the Life and Spinal Journey of Tom Sheedy
National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, narrates the story of Tom Sheedy, a Spinal...
When Doctor Turns Spine Patient, with Spinal Champion, Dr. Mike
NSHF CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion and Family Physician, Dr. Mike Perez,...
Hope Through Aging with Scoliosis, with Spinal Champion, Nancy Finch
NSHF CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sits down with Spinal Champion, Nancy Finch. Nancy is an 83...
Managing Your Expectations as a Patient, with Spinal Champion Vivian Manning-Schaffel
In the first ‘Get Back To It’ podcast episode of 2022, our CEO, Dr. Rita Roy,...
Get Back To It Minis: Nancy’s Story of Arthritis
National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, narrates the story of Nancy K., a Spinal...
Get Back To It Minis: Spinal Champion, James, and the Golden Gate Bridge
Introducing ‘Get Back To It’ Minis! These are short stories of hope in 5-minutes or less...
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